as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used
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Recent Examples of flaming out
Swinging a big trade can be the difference in a team winning a championship or flaming out early in the playoffs.
—
Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Jack Harper, back working in his hometown after flaming out elsewhere, living as the responsible adult with an adorable little niece and her depressed, alcoholic mother, Zoe (Marin Ireland).
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
After the first two films, the series switched hands to seasoned parody veterans David Zucker and Pat Proft before flaming out with the fifth entry in 2013.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The left side of their line is a huge question mark between tackle and guard, where Kingsley Suamataia might settle after flaming out at tackle.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Jack Harper, back working in his hometown after flaming out elsewhere, living as the responsible adult with an adorable little niece and her depressed, alcoholic mother, Zoe (Marin Ireland).
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
After the first two films, the series switched hands to seasoned parody veterans David Zucker and Pat Proft before flaming out with the fifth entry in 2013.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The left side of their line is a huge question mark between tackle and guard, where Kingsley Suamataia might settle after flaming out at tackle.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaming out
Verb
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As this process is the main source of energy produced by the sun, this will mean the outward pressure that stops the sun from collapsing under its own gravity also ceases.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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And what's the difference between weakening and collapsing?—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Florida Justice Association — the trial lawyer lobby — spent millions to stop the reforms Maxwell now blames for failing consumers.—
David Wilson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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The 2023 jury found the Berkshire utility liable for negligently failing to shut down power lines during a powerful windstorm, contributing to four separate wildfires that caused significant property damage.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Strider was excellent in his second rehab outing, striking out eight Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp hitters over 4-1/3 innings.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Imanaga tossed seven innings for the first time this season, limiting the Phillies to just three hits, including the home run, while walking one and striking out one batter.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Meyers asked if Winkler had any sense during previews that the show was flopping.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Already McCue has observed an agave, a rosette shape succulent, folding and unfolding its leaves over the course of days.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
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Instead of folding, as the Magic had done at various points throughout the regular season when faced with on-court adversity, Orlando responded with a 14-3 run to recapture a double-digit lead with three minutes left in the third frame.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Susan Butts Tiffani McInnis endured the typical teenage growing pains under the shadow of her mother's missing person investigation.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The remains of one of his two daughters were still missing, believed to be trapped under rubble, as search operations concluded Saturday, three days after the attacks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Andrew Tate is not washing out.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
11 Mar. 2026
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Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That leaves firms which relied on cheap, abundant credit during the low-rate era of 2010s and early 2020s more exposed, with weaker companies struggling to roll over debt or exit investments.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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Despite Magic guard Desmond Bane, clearly under the weather, struggling from beyond the arc but still managing to contribute 17 points.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flaming out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaming%20out. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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